Teachable Moments

This past week marked my fourth week in Alaska, and it started off much better than the last.  This past Monday, January 23rd, was the best day teaching I have had thus far.  The wind was strong and cold, and only three students were brought to school.  Because of this, I was able to spend more time with the children individually, and more importantly, I was able to teach more because the distractions were less.  One of the students happened to be the child who attempted to stab me with a pencil the Monday before.  He is one of my toughest cases, but I know his behavior is a desperate cry for love.  There are four boys in particular who cause the most problems.  Separated, they are loving and kind, and I have had many good moments with each, but put them together...now, that is a deadly combination.  On this particular day, I was able to give him the attention he craved, and I feel that some gains were made.

A view down the coast of the village at sunset

The Head Start follows a curriculum that incorporates a different theme each week.  This past week's focus was titled, "Highlighting Heritage."  The subject each day centered around family life, as well as the differences between our families.

Being the third teacher to be placed into this classroom this year alone, as well as the cultural boundaries that are always present, I have tried not to deviate from any routines that were already set in place.  These children need as much consistency as they can get, and I did not want to change everything on them...AGAIN.  I am also aware that I am on their turf; therefore, I am mindful of my place, and do the best I can while still being "teacher".

The class already had a daily schedule.  I leave my apartment at about 8:15 each morning.  When I first arrived, the sun did not rise until about 11:00 a.m., but now it rises around 10.  It is dark when I walk to school, and the moon is still on the horizon.  The students arrive about 9 and eat breakfast at 9:15.  After breakfast, the students are scheduled to participate in various activities at the carpet, or something I call "Circle Time."  These  include a movement exercise, a daily message with review of the calendar, date, numbers, and letters of focus, a short introduction activity focusing around the weekly theme, and a book.  After "Circle Time," the students go to labs, which are stations set up to encourage play.  There is a drama lab, which contains a kitchen set with pretend food, baby dolls, and costumes.  There are a couple different tables containing various manipulative items, such as blocks, puzzles, and anything else that the students can piece together.  There is an art lab, a library area, and another lab with bigger blocks for the students to build with.   After lab is another story and then lunch.

During labs on this particular Monday, I worked with — we'll call him Peter (plus, he loves Spiderman, and his alias was Peter, right?).  Peter is one of the leaders in the classroom.  He provokes the other boys when it comes to their defiant, violent behavior.  Yet, on this day, he was engaged and willing to learn.  One of the labs the aids set up included figurines resembling various family/community members.  Peter went directly to this lab, and I seated myself next to him to discuss each figurine.  We talked about who each person's role is in a family, as well as what their occupation would be. For example, there was a doctor, a farmer, a pilot, and so on.  I also talked to him about the different names we call our family members.  I learned that in Yupik, their native language, "uppa," means grandfather.

After lunch, the students have journals that they draw in, and depending on behavior, another book is read and review of what was discussed that day takes place.  The three-year-olds are picked up at 1 p.m., and the four-year-olds walk with me to the main school to play in the gym till 2.  I really enjoyed my day with the students, but most of all my time with Peter.  When his "uppa" picked him up that day, he kept telling me he loved me.  Since his grandfather was standing right there, I was nervous how to respond, so I kept telling him how proud I was of him, which is another way of saying you love someone.

A view from the beach at sunset

The rest of the week returned to normal.  The chaos returned the next day, and Peter was back to his ways.  A woman from the state came in on Tuesday to evaluate the teaching environment, which is not of my own doing, but I was still paranoid the whole time she was there.  Anyone with a clipboard is automatically intimidating, if you ask me.  Friday, the power went out right before breakfast, and it was not just at the Head Start.  The entire village was affected except for the main school building because they have their own generator that kicks in during power outages.  Naturally, I thought that the students' parents would be called to pick them up since nothing could be accomplished in the dark (and the impending cold that would begin setting in from the lack of heat).  However, that is not what happened.  The students played at the various stations in the dark while the cook and two aids waited around for the power to return.  It began to get chilly so I put my snow pants back on, which is part of my daily attire walking to school. After about an hour, the power returned, and the day continued.  I am finding this place to be stranger by the day, and myself strange in it, but I cannot deny the amazing learning experience I am gaining.

I am not sure what my expectations were when I decided to make this journey.  I believe everything happens for a reason, and when things began falling eerily into place when deciding whether or not to come, I began thinking the Lord had plans for me here.  Wanting to make my mark on the world, I thought this would be an opportunity to make an impression in children's lives half a world away from my own.  I suppose in a way it still is, but every day I struggle to keep that dream alive.  It has all come down to grasping the small, teachable moments with individual students.  Large group activities will never happen, not with the "Fearsome Foursome" running around trying to kill one another, but I try to work with every child on an individual level as much as I can.  I also came expecting to grow myself as a person, and I certainly will not look at some things the same.  I am truly grateful for where I come from, and it amazes me that places like this village exist within the United States.  In college, we read about the conditions that many children live and learn in around certain areas of the country that would be shocking to most, but to experience it each day brings it all into perspective.  I only have 10 more working days left.  Lets see what the next two weeks may bring.